VAN - Monday evening the Van Independent School District approved the Districts Emergency Operations Plan which grants Van ISD School Board members, under Texas Penal Code 46.03(a)(1), the authority to authorize specific school employees or other persons to possess certain firearms on school property, at school sponsored or school sanctioned events, and at School Board meetings. Authorized personnel must obtain and maintain a concealed handgun license, in accordance with state law. Any authorized personnel carrying a firearm on campus will be provide additional training in crisis intervention, management of hostage situations and other training as the Board deems necessary. Representative Flynn (Van-R) praised the Van ISD School Board and Superintendent Don Dunn by stating, "I completely support the members of Van ISD School Board for their leadership and courage to face today's concerns and challenges head on."In an email to faculty and staff, Superintendent Don Dunn reiterated his hope that 'an armed intruder does not come to one of our campuses. And in regards to our new policy, I also pray we never have to fire a single shot.' He referred to the lapse of time in the ISD's current emergency plan, citing that these new proposals give faculty 'the ability to protect our students and staff during this critical time period.'